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Transcript

Near Dresden
July 24th./74
My Darling Son
I am celebrating my fifty fifth birth
day writing letters, one to Sallie to my sister
Miranda and to you in acknowledgement
of yours of the 9th & 18th Inst, with the one
of the 9th came half a dozen Papers the first
I had received from you. I am glad you did
not feel disappointment at the way the Judge
ship was disposed of, I think as you do that
it will be for the best eventually. I do not
fear but that you will be as well off without
it. I am confident your business will be in
reality worth more even if it is slower in
coming in and in small instalments beside[s]
you are young enough yet awhile to wait
for honors of office. Cook deserves it and
I am glad he was thought of
a few days since I wrote to Mrs. Ashe
Am sorry to hear of John B
having been sick "Sis" mentioned that Mrs.
Duke & Miss Jennie Gillette had gone North
to spend the summer Suppose the superin-
tendent must be flush has he paid you
yet?? Wont Miss Jennie splurge when
she returns
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[Written upside down along the top of page 2]
Brother has several varieties of nice grapes now getting
Ripe I wish you all could have some
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Brothers health is improving all the time, yet he is
very low spirited much of the time is dissatisfied
with the way things have gone, is unable to see that
all the hard times is owing to this long Radical
misrule we have been living under as well as to
bad crop years, he wants to sell out & get away from it
all. I the think he would ruin his family if he ever
sells as he is not able to do any hard labor, and in
all probability the fatigue would put an end to his
life as he cannot bear the least fatigue
I saw a lady
who had been at Lampases Springs. she says that Co.
is improving, land there is worth from one to ten
and fifteen dollars pr Acre. have you taken
any steps yet in our land matter so as to prevent
the statute of limitation from baring us. You
will remember parties have been on it now
for several years. I realy do believe it would pay
to look after it Brother & I talk some of going up there
this fall, but this may all be talk on his part. I
would go in a minute. I hope you will leave Houston
in case yellow [fever] comes, and glad your health is so good
I am in perfect health, baby is daily improving is
bright & playful. Yesterday more papers came which
is a treat I assure you. I see you are employed for the
Co. in a case. Remember me to all our friends, Brother
& family join me in love and best wishes As ever your
loving Mother Mary Jones
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PS.
I see by the papers a wish to have Col. Stewart nom-
inated for Congress. I suppose you would be plea
-sed as well as many others. I certainly will be
remember me kindly to Mrs Francks Miss O,
Mrs Stewart Mrs Bryan & all her family. How is our
Eddy getting along? "Sis" wrote me that Miss [Myra]
Johnson was in search of a school, said she had
some prospect of getting one in Houston. Aid her
if you can, for her dear good old mothers sake
as well as for her own helpless sake. Sallie
enquired if there was any opening in this sec
tion for her. I do not think there is. As Mr Lee
and two ladies teach the one near here, which
is a large scool, distant half way between
here & Dresden. We pass through Dresden
coming from Corsicana to Brothers, his place
is North west from both places
Yesterday & today
the air is delightful, very cool, both day & night
I find it much more pleasant here than near
the Coast. I am constantly reminded of our old
home in Washington Co. Where I am writing
I can see the Apple trees; I often wish I could
send you one limb full they look so pretty
I think of you often dear darling son strugling
along with poverty. and pray this may not last
always, that your last days may not be like
mine, but that you may be blessed with
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all I believe you deserve of this worlds good, and
health to enjoy it. Take good care of your self
God bless, and prosper you is my daily prayer
Your loving Mother
I will not be able to send this to the Po Office
until Monday Consequently have added a few more
lines (this Sunday morning) while most of the
family are at Church